By Sonny Jones
It’s a Friday night filled with football in Bladen County as East Bladen celebrates homecoming against Red Springs and West Bladen welcomes powerful St. Pauls to the Castle.
The Knights (2-2) also will host Red Springs on Tuesday in a game rescheduled from earlier in the season because of COVID-19 protocols.
Red Springs (1-1) hasn’t played since Sept. 17 in a 49-22 loss against Midway because of quarantines.
The Red Devils have beaten East Bladen in the past two meetings, including a 27-14 win in March in the COVID-related spring season after losing nine straight against the Eagles. It’s been a bit of a struggle for East Bladen (2-4) this season. Need a strong defensive effort. EAST BLADEN 20, RED SPRINGS 16.
St. Pauls (3-0) also has had its issues with COVID-19 protocols. The Bulldogs beat Midway 64-41 on Tuesday, play at West Bladen on Friday, then host Clinton on Oct. 12 and East Bladen on Oct. 16. It’s a tough stretch, but the Bulldogs are a tough team that reached the state championship game last season. ST. PAULS 48, WEST BLADEN 12.
On Tuesday, the Knights seek to snap a five-game losing streak dating to 2008 against Red Springs. The last West Bladen win against the Red Devils came on Halloween Night at the Castle when Sam McPherson and Kendrick McKoy each scored two touchdowns in a 38-7 victory. It’s not Halloween this time, but it’s time for the Knights to turn the trick and get a treat with a win. WEST BLADEN 16, RED SPRINGS 14.
Week 7 record: 11-3
Season record: 68-20 (77%)
Postponed/canceled through Week 7: 29
Here’s the rest of the Week 8 picks.
HIGH SCHOOL
WHITEVILLE 48, PENDER 14: The unbeaten Wolfpack should keep rolling in this Thursday night Waccamaw Conference contest.
SOUTH COLUMBUS 24, WEST COLUMBUS 20: Is this the year West Columbus knocks off the Stallions? South Columbus has won all the meetings since at least 2004. Home field makes the difference in what should be an interesting game.
EAST COLUMBUS 30, TRASK 12: A week after getting shut out by Whiteville, the Gators should get back in the win column.
COLLEGE
GEORGIA TECH 28, DUKE 25: The teams have split their last 10 meetings with Duke winning the last three at Wallace Wade Stadium. Look for the Jackets to bounce back from a dismal performance at Pittsburgh and win in Durham for the first time since 2013.
WAKE FOREST 31, SYRACUSE 17: No reason the undefeated Deacons should be stopped in the Carrier Dome.
NORTH CAROLINA 35, FLORIDA STATE 20: The Tar Heels are looking for their first win against the Seminoles in Chapel Hill since 2001. This Florida State team that isn’t your dad’s Florida State team.
CENTRAL FLORIDA 35, EAST CAROLINA 27: The Pirates seek their first four-game win streak since 2014, but it will be a tough task in Orlando. UCF has won the last five in the series.
CAMPBELL 27, GARDNER-WEBB 21: It’s the Barbecue Bowl in Boiling Springs. The winning team will get to hoist the decorative hog-adorned trophy. The losing team will supply barbecue from its region. Do you prefer eastern- or western-style barbecue?
METHODIST 41, LAGRANGE 29: Both have beaten Southern Virginia with Methodist winning 37-14 at home and La Grange winning 38-34 on the road. It’s set up to be a high-scoring affair.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE 34, SHAW 27: The Broncos have won the last six meetings, but the games have been close. This should be no different.
UNC PEMBROKE 36, WHEELING 27: Both have beaten Glenville State at home with UNCP winning 36-22 and Wheeling winning 27-10. Those winning scores sound as good as any, eh?
PRO
CAROLINA 23, PHILADELPHIA 21: This should be an entertaining game as the Panthers continue to climb back toward respectability. Nice effort in losing effort last Sunday at Dallas.
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
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